Description

Cuphea ignea, Cigar Plant is probably the most easily recognised species in the genus and is endemic to Mexico and the Caribbean. It has foliage that is small, elliptic to lanceolate and it bears long intense red to orange floral tubes with a white rim on the upper surface and a dark maroon to black colouration surrounding the rest of the rim. Small hairs occur around the rim from which the long maroon stamens protrude. The petals are so reduced as to be non-existent with the vibrant colour of the elongated floral tube possibly replacing them as the primary pollinator attractant.

Cuphea ignea is extremely floriferous and flowers from an early age, contributing to it popularity as an ornamental. In the cold temperate UK climate it must be overwintered indoors but succeeds well outside in a tropical bed during the summer months in a moist shady aspect. Protect from snails and slugs and water and feed frequently. In late September or early October it can be dug up and potted into a terracotta container and brought in as a houseplant.